The Group´s product development department cooperates with production and sales to create new products, and improve the quality of the existing products through the entire value chain.
In the Product Development department, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.
Our vision is to be the world's best product development company for sustainable seafood, with the aim of improving people's diet.
Our goal is to develop sustainable, tasty and safe product solutions, which create value for our industrial activities, and make us the consumers' preferred choice.
At Lerøy, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive innovation and sustainability. Our Product Development Department works in conjunction with a broader team of product developers across our downstream operations, all working together in a “One Lerøy” manner.
The “One Lerøy Product Development Team” works through the entire value chain, from raw materials to finished products in stores, constantly developing new products and improving the quality of existing ones, with a strong focus on utilizing the whole fish for human consumption to avoid wastage.
By utilizing local expertise and pooling our knowledge in our “One Lerøy Product Development Team” we can create a more diverse and inclusive product development process that prioritizes sustainability and meets the evolving needs of our customers. Our shared commitment to Lerøy's values of openness, honesty, responsibility, and innovation helps us to build an inclusive and engaging work environment that fosters creativity and continuous development.
The Product Development Department in Lerøy places a strong emphasis on developing new and innovative products that meet the evolving needs of our customers, while prioritizing sustainability, with a focus on natural ingredients and low salt content, to give consumers a better and more healthy way of eating.
The department follows an "Outside – In" development model that emphasizes sustainability and user-led innovation. This approach involves understanding the insights of the external environment, such as climate, politics, income, population, competitors, and other industries. We use these insights to put together models like the 'Gear Model' and the 'Business Model Canvas,' and then use simulations with tools like drawings, Lego blocks and pretotyping.
Pretotyping involves creating simple product samples and testing them to validate our ideas. This allows us to get quick responses to quick solutions and identify potential challenges or opportunities early in the process. This can be done both in our test kitchen in our main office in Bergen or in one of our many factories. Then we invite users to provide feedback on the product samples we create.
Our commitment to sustainability extends to our packaging as well. We aim to avoid over-packaging*, and to use sustainable materials whenever possible. We believe that sustainability is key to our success and we strive to ensure that every aspect of our operations is as sustainable as possible.
Our packaging strategy is aligned with our goal to reduce food waste, prolong shelf life and product quality while having the lowest possible eco footprint. We are working towards a sustainable packaging material portfolio by 2030, using materials that can either be recycled, reused or are biodegradable.
To achieve our sustainability goals, we have established a category team for packaging, comprising people from different departments with diverse knowledge and experience. The team works closely with our own companies, suppliers, and producers, as well as other aquaculture companies and NGOs to ensure that the best packaging solutions are used.
*Over-Packaging describes a product that is wrapped in multiple layers of materials, that is either unnecessary or unwanted by the consumer.
In addition to our focus on waste reduction we are also exploring the use of complementary products like algae that will help to increase the sustainability of our core products such as shellfish and white fish. Our goal is to create a range of complementary products that will add value to our core products and enhance their sustainability.
Food safety is another top priority for us. We work closely with our suppliers to ensure that our products meet or exceed industry standards for safety and quality. We are constantly reviewing our processes to ensure that we are using the most effective and sustainable methods available.
The Product Development Department in Lerøy believe that sustainability is not just an obligation, it's an opportunity. By prioritizing sustainability in our product development process, we can create products that are not only better for the environment but also more appealing to consumers.
We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable seafood development, and we look forward to continuing to develop innovative, sustainable products that meet the needs of our customers and the world around us.